Travel Answers

Hi, my friend and I are going to Israel in September. We would like to avoid going with Egged, if possible. Friday afternoon we want to go from Ein Gedi to Tel Aviv. Is there a sherut also in the afternoon on Fridays? Another option would be a rental car. But is it possible to return a car in Tel Aviv on a Friday evening? Thanks for your help in advance

Sorry, it's ma again. On number 3. I meant dead sea and not red sea!!

Hi, does anyone know how is the situation now? Would like to know: 1. Can I drive from Tel aviv to the dead sea with a rented car? 2. Is it safe to drive on that route? I have my douthers with me aged 4 and 6 and what to be sure!!!! 3. Wich is the best place to go on the red sea with the girls? Thanks

We are staying at the Masada Youth Hostel Mar 17-19. Breakfast is included, but what other restaurants are nearby? We read the restaurant in the park is expensive and buffet style? I hope there are other options?!

We are travelling from Jeruselum to Massada on a Saturday, so of course we will take a taxi and get dropped off at the Hostel. But what are travel options in and around the Dead Sea? Is it a walkable area or are there taxis or shuttles needed? Upon returning to Jeruselum, where is the bus station and what buses (nos.) are available to Jeruselum? thanks for any help!

which egged bus stop stops closest to the masada hostel? is it before/after/in ein bokek? is it a significant walk from the bus stop to the hostel itself?

How far is the bus station from the Masada Guest House/Youth Hostel? How far is the Ein Gedi Spa from the Guest House? I am trying to get an idea how "walkable" this area is. Does anyone know how long it ususally takes to walk up to Masada? I heard conflicting accounts, but I realize everyone's ability is different. I am trying to figure how much water to carry.

We would like to travel to and from Masada from Jeruselum in March 2012. Many tours offer a one day bus tour taking the cable car up to Masada then spending some time at the dead sea. We would like to do an overnight so that we could climb Masada instead of taking the cable car. Does anyone know buses to and from Jeruselum and transport between Masada and the Dead sea so that we can do all this w/o being grouped with other who just take the cable car?

Hi guys! I need desperatedly help! This Sunday (12/06/2011) I'm attending to a magnificent concert of Andrea Bocelli which will be held at the foot of the Mt. Masada right beside the Dead Sea. I really don't want to miss it. My problem is that the concert is at 22:00 so there are no more buses to get there or to come back to Jerusalem. What do you recomend? I don't want to spend 300 NIS in paying a taxi. Does anybody know a cheap way to get there and to come back? I really need help because I'm a volunteer at Israel thus I don't have so much money to spend in a taxi of 300 NIS. Really hope somebody could help me. It's urgent because is the concert is day after tomorrow!!! Thanks in advance.

I am planning to visit the Dead Sea region when I visit Israel at the end of May. I have three questions about this that travel books and web sites that I have read don't answer: 1) If I rent a car and drive along route 1 and route 90 to Masada, is it safe? Is it just highway through open area or do I pass through hostile areas? I will be travelling alone during the day. 2) What is there to see at Qumran? I really want to maximize my time in the area. Can I drop in and see the settlement and caves in an hour or so? Is it worth stopping? 3) If I rent a car, I would be interested in driving to Arad and seeing the light and sound show. How long does it take to drive to Arad from Masada (I will be staying at the Masada hostel)? What time does the show start? In case it's important, I will be leaving Jerusalem Thursday early afternoon and driving on to Eilat from Masada Friday late afternoon. Thanks for any advice!

I plan to visit masada by Egged bus from Jerusalem, and I would like to stay at Ein Gedi for the night and then go to Masada before dawn to climb the snake path (probably arriving Friday evening and climbing Saturday monrning - then going on to Eilat on Egged). Are there any transportation options available between these three sites for me to do this, such as shuttles, local buses or taxis? Thanks for any suggestions you can give me!

Tried to reach Masada in a rental car yesterday by turning to unsealed road at "- Masada 4x4" sign at road #31 on my way from Jerusalem to Ein Bokek. The road was marked with small blue and white paint marks, but the problem was that there were intersections and no clear direction which way is to Masada, just one direction was marked black and the other marked blue - the same at any intersection. It started to get dark so I decided not to try all of the roads. Is there a way to get to Masada at this time of the year? As I understand the cable system is not working from November to March. The place where I turned from the road #31: maps.google.com/maps?hl=ru&q...

Have a rental car. Stayin in Ein Gedi first night, climbing Masada in AM, going back to Ein Gedi for a few hours. Have late afternoon, evening, and morning of next day to explore--before driving to Jerusalem-- which of these sights, or others are "not to miss?" Mitzpe Ramon, Avdat, Mamashit, see a bedouin tent, eat an interesting meal, go to the Masada light show? Thank you.

Does anyone know of a tour that departs out of Tel Aviv and goes to Masada, that allows you to walk up the snake path? I did the United Tour last year but you had to take the cable car to the top because of time constraints.

I am a Mom traveling with a 5 & 10 year old June 7-14 (ON A BUDGET) to Tel Aviv, but want to rent a car and drive to En Gedi Kibbutz for 3 days and use it as a base for the Dead Sea, Masada and Jerusalem. Here are my questions: 1. Is it worth it, or is it better to stay in Tel Aviv and take the tours (Egged Tours) that start from and return to Tel Aviv? 2. Is it safe to rent a car and drive from Tel Aviv to En Gedi, and then between En Gedi, Masada and Jerusalem? 3. Is it better to stay at En Gedi or in Jerusalem? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Has anyone stayed at a hostel called Ana in Massada? My israeli friend called it "Beit Achsania Anna B'matz" I have had no luck finding it online.

Hello, I was wandering if anyone knows about a busservice from Tel Aviv to Massada. Me and my mom are going on holiday to Israel and we would really like to go to Massada for 2 days. After that we want to take the bus to Jerusalem and spend 3 days there. Is there a busline between those city's or is there another form of public transportation that we can take? Thanks Gr Iris

Hello All , I am wondering what the best route is by car to Masada from Haifa, With everything going on in Gaza- I want to make sure I am not traveling through any palestinian controlled areas-Thank You in advance

Is it possible to go to dead sea from the TLV airport. I get around 9:15 am and will be out by 10.00 as I will have no checked bag. I will be staying in Jerusalem. I was wandering if I can go to massada by making small stops in beersheva and arad and than get to my hotel in Jerusalem by the end of the day. Is there any bus service which will go from airport to massada and than from massada to Jerusalem. Can it be done in one day or I should go to Jerusalem and than go to sea dead sea. is it better to take a taxi or bus service?

Hi! My girlfriend and I will be going to Israel on Dec. 22 for a few days. Rather than going on a tour group, my girlfriend and I would like to drive to Masada. Is there any advice on how to drive using the route below? 1. Start at the Sde Dov airport in Tel Aviv. 2. Drive to Masada 3. Drive back close to the Damascus Gate (where we plan on leaving the car and visit Bethlehem). 4. Drive back to Tel Aviv (we're staying at the Top Hotel). Another alternative (if easier) would be to drive to the Damascus Gate first; go to Masada and then drive from Masada back to Tel Aviv. Thanks in advance!

Is it possible to drive from Jerusalem to Masada in a rental car? I know you can't take a car rented in Israel through the Palestinian territories, so I'd like to make sure driving to Masada in a rental car is actually possible.

From what time in the mornining until what time at night do the cable cars at Masada work from

How long of a drive to Masada from Jerusalem? Also, what time does the cable car start in case we decide to go that way? I know it will be hot since we will be there in June, but is there a way to get in the shade at the top of Masada? Thank You

Anyone have any advice for someone scared of heights? I'm going to Israel in March and have been told we're going to go by cable car. I'm scared of heights, but don't want to miss out on any part of the tour. Any advice or tips? What's the ride like? I'll do better if I know what to expect.